Shearing training experience in N.Z.

Press, 1 May 1981, Page 17

Shearing training experience in N.Z.

British shearing instructors. Messrs Isa Lloyd and Graham House, have spent three months in New Zealand recently learning more about the Wool .Board's shearer training scheme.

Both men travelled all over the country helping to run courses, judging competi-

tions and “getting involved.” “New Zealand and Britain have the two best shearertraining programmes in the world, but we can still learn from each other. By becoming involved in your scheme we can find ways to improve ours.” Isa said.

Although the British Wool Marketing Board’s training programme began 20 years ago along the lines of the New Zealand scheme, there are still differences between the two.

The major difference, Isa noticed, was that New Zealand courses are run by instructors living in the area.

“In Britain we don’t work in areas. Instructors move around the country taking courses. After what we have seen here we would like to introduce regionalisation, but

that is for our board to decide. Your instructors get to know the farmers in their area much better than in Britain, where we only meet the farmer each time a course is held.” New’ Zealand courses are also longer than those in Britain. While New Zealand courses run from four to 10 days, a British course is either one full day or two half days. “The additional time spent on your courses means the student gets more practice. It also means as far as the fanner is concerned that more sheep will be shorn,” said Isa.

There are very few shearing sheds in Britain and most shearing is done in temporary pens. “Shearing in New Zealand is a very much more pleasant proposition,” Isa said.